Showing 8 results for Subject: Virology
Maryam Meskini, Mohsen Korani , Davoud Esmaeili ,
Volume 13, Issue 4 (7-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Burns are a major global public health problem, accounting for an estimated 180,000 deaths annually. The majority of burn-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Considering the importance of treating infected burn wounds with the least adverse effects, we aimed to search the literature to find new treatments for infected wounds using medicinal plants.
Methods: The search process was carried out using various databases including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. We searched for relevant original and review articles (published in English or Persian) using the following keywords: herbal extract, herbal medicine, burn infection, and wound infection.
Results: Overall, we found approximately 100 articles related to the use of medicinal plants for treatment of wounds or infections. According to these studies, main constituents of plant extracts were carvacrol, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic diterpenes, and phenolic acids. Most studies assessed the antimicrobial activity by determining minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration using the disc diffusion method.
Conclusion: Given the favorable antimicrobial activity of medicinal plants, it is recommended to use them for treatment of burn wound infections.
Sina Soleimani,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (1-2020)
Abstract
Background and objectives: After using of trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) for a long time in Iran, in recent years, due to the eradication of type 2 of poliovirus, a bivalent vaccine containing types 1 and 3 is used. Since it is a highly thermo labile vaccine strain of poliovirus, it should be stored under the recommended temperature. Because in vaccine storage and transportation, the cold chain may not be achieved in Iran tropical weather conditions, the potency of this vaccine may be subject to change.
Methods: The purpose of this study was the stability evaluation of bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine produced by Razi Institute in Iran for stability study of vaccines to ensure constancy of virus at different temperatures and intervals freezing/defrosting cycles (stress tests). Three consecutive batches produced during full-scale production were sampled randomly. All quality control tests in the form of stability studies were done on vaccines stored at -20, 2-8, 22-25 and 35-37ºC in specific time intervals and 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 freezing/defrosting cycles.
Results: The findings indicate the stability of this vaccine in different situations. The results also showed the effects of the environment affecting factors on the potency of the vaccines and determined the correlation between the VVM grade and the vaccine potency.
Conclusion: Important observations of the vaccine distribution network at different transit levels and the correlation of VVM grade and vaccine potency and freezing/defrosting are discussed in this study which will be of help to the vaccine program team.
Zeinab Nazari, Javad Ghaffari, Negar Ghaffari,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (5-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is a virus of the Retroviridae family, which has infected more than 20 million people around the world. The study aimed to review the prevalence of HTLV infection in pregnant women.
Methods: We searched various databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, SID, Magiran and Irandoc using the following keywords: HTLV-1, HTLV-2, Retroviridae, pregnancy, prevalence, incidence, women and female. Abstracts, short/brief reports as well as original and review articles published on HTLV-1 and/or HTLV-2 infection during pregnancy until October 2018 were included in the study.
Results: We found five articles from Iran and 14 articles from other parts of the world on the prevalence of HTLV-1 infection in pregnant women. Prevalence of HTLV-1 and or HTLV-2 was higher in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women in cities of Mashhad and Neyshabur, Razavi Khorasan Province (1.5 to 3.3 %), northeastern Iran, which are endemic areas of Iran for HTLV-1 infection. The incidence rate of HTLV-1 infection was 400-500 per 10,000 pregnant women in endemic areas of Japan. In Brazil, the rate of HTLV-1 infection in pregnant women was estimated to be 1.05%.
Conclusion: The prevalence of HTLV-1 varies among pregnant women depending on residence in endemic or non-endemic areas for HTLV-1. In endemic areas, it is recommended to perform routine screening for HTLV-1 infection in the general population, especially pregnant women.
Idris Nasir Abdullahi, Hafeez Aderinsayo Adekola, Anthony Uchenna Emeribe, Abdurrahman Elfulaty Ahmad, Thairu Yunusa, Maryam Muhammad Zakari, Nkechi Blessing Onukegbe, Sanusi Musa, Dele Ohinoyi Amadu, Bamidele Soji Oderinde,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (5-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a widespread virus with various manifestations depending on the immunologic and hematologic status of the host. Infection with the virus can cause a wide range of complications in fetus of infected pregnant women, especially those with hemoglobinopathies. This study aimed to determine association of hemoglobin electrophoretic patterns and risk of B19V infection in pregnant women.
Methods: Blood samples were collected from 200 pregnant women attending University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria. The samples were screened for anti-B19V IgM and IgG. Hemoglobin patterns were determined using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits and Minicap Flex Piercing Electrophoresis system. Structured questionnaires were used to collate sociodemographic variables and associated risk factors of B19V.
Results: Of 200 participants, 12 (6.0%) were positive for B19V IgM, 45 (22.5%) were positive for IgG and two (1.0%) were positive for both antibody, while 145 (72.5%) had no detectable B19V antibody. Twenty-six subjects (28.3%) with HbAA hemoglobin pattern had B19V IgG of whom, nine (12.5%) had HbAS and 11 (30.6%) had HbSS electrophoretic patterns. There was a significant association between prevalence of anti-B19V IgG and hemoglobin electrophoretic pattern of participants (P=0.037). However, no association was found between prevalence of B19V IgM and hemoglobin electrophoretic pattern, age and parity of pregnant women (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Our findings revealed a high prevalence of B19V infection among pregnant women in the studied area. In addition, acute B19V seems to be associated with hemoglobin electrophoretic patterns of pregnant women. It is recommended to follow up newborns of anti-B19V IgM positive pregnant women.
Ali Vaez, Hadi Razavi Niko, Seyyede Delafruz Hosseini, Elham Mobasheri, Alijan Tabarraei,
Volume 17, Issue 5 (9-2023)
Abstract
Background: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major public health problem worldwide. Vertical and horizontal transmission of HBV could affect neonates and partners. This transmission can vary in populations. Also, high-risk behaviors and clinical records affect the transmission of this virus. Due to the lack of information on vaginal discharge related to HBV in the north of Iran, we aimed to assess the presence of HBV in pregnant women's vaginal secretion referred to Sayyad Shirazi Hospital in Gorgan City, north of Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 315 cervicovaginal lavages from pregnant women. Viral DNA was extracted, and the gene fragments of the virus were checked by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Clinical, demographic, and behavioral data were entered into SPSS version 16. The chi-square tests were used to determine any association between categorical data.
Results: Hepatitis B virus DNA was detected in 2.2% (7/315) of samples. The age range of patients was from 14 to 43 years. Anal sex (P = 0.043) and not using a condom (P = 0.047) were significantly associated with HBV-positive cases. Abortion, unusual discharge, and some other clinical and demographic information showed no related statistical correlation.
Conclusion: The results showed a similar rate of infection in the general Iranian population. In pregnant women, the risk of HBV transmission and chronic HBV can be critical in newborns; therefore, it is strongly recommended to conduct screening and provide management for women during pregnancy.
Ommolbanin Younesian, Behnaz Khodabakhshi, Sara Hosseinzadeh, Seyedeh Somayeh Hosseini Alarzi, Samareh Younesian, Mojtaba Pourmomen, Mana Zakeri, Ali Hosseini, Professor Hamidreza Joshaghani,
Volume 17, Issue 5 (9-2023)
Abstract
Background: Although public health interventions have slowed the spread of SARS CoV 2 infections, the worldwide pandemic of COVID 19 is progressing. Thus, effective and safe vaccination against SARS CoV 2 is an important tool for controlling the COVID 19 pandemic. Now in the early stages of COVID 19 vaccination, vaccinated individuals are interested in using antibody tests to confirm vaccination success and estimate the time of protection. Here, we assessed anti spike IgG responses in the general population 2 weeks after the second dose of the Sputnik V vaccine.
Methods: This study included blood samples of 67 individuals without a previous SARS CoV 2 infection taken 14 days after the second dose of the Sputnik V vaccine. Anti spike IgG responses were assessed with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: Anti spike IgG was detected in 55 (82.1%) of 67 samples 14 days after the second dose of the Sputnik V vaccine. Antibody levels were significantly lower in males than in females, and 9 (75%) of 12 seronegative individuals were males.
Conclusion: Vaccination resulted in detectable anti spike IgG in 82.1% of individuals, and gender may be an important factor in the humoral response.
Vahid Tajari, Mohammad Fayaz, Mohammad Hosein Taziki Balajelini, Abdolhalim Rajabi, Mehran Hosseini,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: The outcome of hospitalized COVID-19 patients is predictable according to demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging risk factors. We aimed to determine the best outcome predictors and their trends during 30 days of hospitalization.
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on moderate to severe hospitalized COVID-19 patients from 26 January 2020 to 13 January 2021. The length of stay in the hospital was considered as the time interval between admission and discharge, and the patient's final condition was defined as either dead or alive. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from the hospital information system. The generalized additive model and the Cox regression model were used to model data.
Results: Of the 1520 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 232 (15.26%) died and 1288 survived or reached the end of 30 days of hospitalization. We selected demographic, clinical, and 131 independent laboratory variables. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) had a nearly double average in the dead group (44.603 [± 25.408] mg/dL) than the survived group (21.304 [± 13.318] mg/dL), and the lymphocyte (Lymph) count showed the opposite trend. The estimated hazard ratio (HR) of these 2 factors was higher than 1 and was statistically significant. In daily stay trends, the hazard function of them also increased rapidly after 15 days.
Conclusion: Blood urea nitrogen and complete blood count provide strong predictive clues about the prognosis of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and rapid dynamic changes in the second week can predict a poor outcome in these patients.
Udhaya Kumar, Anirudh Mutalik, Jeevithan Shanmugam, Mohan Kumar,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Viral hepatitis is increasingly being recognized as a public health problem, requiring special attention. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that in 2019, 296 million people globally (3.8%) had chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and 58 million people (0.8%) were living with hepatitis C virus (HCV). To add to this, every year, about 1.5 million people are newly infected with either hepatitis B or C viruses. The Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) has aimed to eliminate viral hepatitis as a major public health problem by 2030.
Methods: We conducted a desk review to identify strategies for preventing viral hepatitis and develop a roadmap to attain the sustainable development goals (SDG) target by 2030 (particularly in low- and middle-income countries). A search was done in PubMed via Medline on 1 December 2022.
Results: The focus has to be on key interventions, including hepatitis B vaccination (part of the routine child immunization along with rescheduling the birth dose to up to 7 days post-term, adult vaccination, for targeted groups like health care providers, rag pickers, waste handlers, and sanitation workers), ensuring safe injection practices and blood transfusion, harm reduction interventions for people who inject drugs (PWID), adequate testing for early diagnosis, and ensuring appropriate treatment.
Conclusion: It is the need of the hour to prioritize key interventions identified in the review for preventing viral hepatitis.
